Eventually, you will visit
Niagara Falls, if only because you must. Sadly, the Falls pour forth an
ancient torrent of roadside hucksterism and the disappointing reality
that even tourist attractions contain sizable zones of blight and despair.
The tumbling waters themselves, a magnet for bridal couples without a
sense of irony, demand a few moments of your time, providing a contest
between yourself and city planners to avoid exorbitant parking fees. Before
long, though, you will add to the cacophony of break lights and car horns
of Highway 62, a varied row of fleabag and fairly nice motels. Twilight
brings a small number of signs to life, most notably at the 3 Star, Bel-Aire,
and the Moonlite Motel. For the night, however, you might best journey
East toward the tiny hamlet of Clarence. Stop in the court by the same
name and listen to the nighttime symphony of crickets and the occasional
passing car. The price is right and the manager doesn’t mind if
you show up after bedtime.